Birds with striking yellow and black plumage frequently capture the attention of observers. Understanding their specific characteristics helps in their identification and offers a deeper appreciation for avian diversity.
The American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is a prime example of a yellow bird with black wings, especially the male during breeding season. From spring through early summer, the adult male displays a brilliant, canary-yellow body, contrasted by jet-black wings and a black forehead patch. Its wings feature white markings and two white wing bars. This small finch measures about 11-14 cm (4.3-5.5 inches) in length with a wingspan of 19-22 cm (7.5-8.7 inches), possessing a short, conical bill suited for seed consumption.
This species is primarily granivorous, meaning its diet consists almost exclusively of seeds, including those from thistles, dandelions, and sunflowers. Goldfinches cling to plant stems to extract seeds. Their breeding season is late compared to other North American songbirds, typically beginning in late July or August, aligning with peak seed availability. In winter, the male’s vibrant yellow plumage molts to a duller olive-brown, resembling the more subdued females.
Other Birds With Yellow and Black Markings
Several other bird species also exhibit yellow and black markings. The male Western Tanager, for instance, has a brilliant yellow body with coal-black wings, back, and tail, and an orange-red head. This species is slightly larger than the American Goldfinch, measuring 16-19 cm (6.3-7.5 inches) in length. Western Tanagers also possess two wing bars: an upper yellow one and a lower white one.
The male Evening Grosbeak is another yellow and black species, a large, heavyset finch with white patches on black wings and a dark head featuring a bright-yellow stripe over the eye. Its body is primarily yellow, and it has a thick, conical bill. The Lesser Goldfinch, a smaller relative, features a bright yellow underside and black wings with two white wing-bars. Males typically have a glossy black cap, and their back color varies from glossy black to dull green depending on geographic region.
Where to Find These Birds
These birds inhabit diverse environments across North America. American Goldfinches are widespread and thrive in open country, including fields, meadows, flood plains, and suburban gardens where weeds are abundant. They are found from southern Canada down to the northern United States and parts of Mexico. Some populations remain year-round in central areas, while northern populations migrate south for winter. Their adaptability allows them to frequent urban and suburban settings where food sources are available.
Western Tanagers are primarily found in open coniferous or mixed forests across western North America, extending from southeastern Alaska south to northern Baja California, Mexico. During migration, they can appear in various habitats, including suburban yards, grasslands, and deserts. Evening Grosbeaks breed in mature coniferous forests in Canada and the western United States, migrating south to states like California, Texas, and the Gulf Coast during winter. Lesser Goldfinches are common in the southwestern United States, ranging into parts of Latin America, and prefer dry, open woodlands, scrublands, and suburban areas.
How to Attract These Birds
Attracting these birds to your yard involves providing food, water, and shelter. American Goldfinches are readily drawn to bird feeders, especially those offering nyjer seed or black oil sunflower seeds. Planting native composite plants like thistles, coneflowers, and zinnias can also provide natural food sources, as goldfinches extract seeds from these plants. A bird bath offers a water source for drinking and bathing, making your yard more appealing.
To attract Western Tanagers, especially during migration, consider offering dried fruit, fresh orange halves, or grape jelly. While they primarily eat insects during the breeding season, they appreciate supplemental fruit offerings. A bird bath with moving water can be especially effective in luring them. Creating a mixed habitat with coniferous and deciduous trees provides both food and shelter, as they forage in tree canopies.
Evening Grosbeaks are attracted to tray feeders filled with black oil sunflower seeds. They have powerful bills capable of cracking tough seeds, and their presence can be sporadic as they are known for erratic winter movements.